Students at Osbourn Park High School channeled their excitement following a recent college fair that included beneficial discussions with admissions representatives. Seniors Malisha Das, Sayan Khan, Rediate Lemma, and Christian Santaw, and junior Aniya Kelly, left the fair equipped with tangible steps to enhance their educational path.
As these motivated students continued their discussions in subsequent classes, they discovered a shared eagerness to share this crucial information. The result? The formation of the Osbourn Park Student Affairs Club, a club that encourages exploration of post-secondary options, promotes higher education, and provides peer support for high school seniors during the college research and application process.
"With Osbourn Park Student Affairs Club, we unravel the secrets of the post-secondary journey as we chat with OPHS alumni and undergraduates, delving deeper into the intricacies of the application process and addressing the burning questions high schoolers crave the answers to,” said Santaw, club president, “We aspire to empower students, fostering transformative moments that positively impact their academic and social trajectories."
The club meets in person on the last Thursday of each month. In addition to these gatherings, the club offers programming for students. Recently, they hosted their first virtual alumni panel. Three Osbourn Park alumni, including two from Vanderbilt University and one from Columbia University, shared their college experiences and provided valuable advice on academic preparation and the transition to college life. The club plans to organize more in-person alumni panels in the future.
The student-led initiative aims to spotlight Osbourn Park alumni from all types of careers and accomplishments, from students who were selected as Quest Bridge scholars or collegiate student athletes, to those who chose military enlistment or apprenticeship training. The goal is to make students aware of the various post-secondary opportunities available after high school.
“The club is open to any student regardless of their post-secondary plans and aims to provide information to all students to help them create post-secondary goals,” said Jacquelyn Harris, club sponsor. “A student's peers can be an effective resource for sharing information and helping students identify appropriate course selection and extracurricular activities that may help them towards their post-secondary goals. By focusing on OPHS alumni, it gives current students a chance to see what they can be."
The Osbourn Park Student Affairs Club stands as a beacon of support, guiding students toward a successful post-secondary journey. Through collaboration, mentorship, and shared knowledge, they aim to make a lasting impact on their peers’ futures.